China, Brunei issue joint statement on promotion of cooperation Xinhua - English

Xinhua - English
China, Brunei issue joint statement on promotion of cooperation

www.chinaview.cn 2005-04-21 22:57:45


BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, April 21 (Xinhuanet) -- China and Brunei issued a joint press statement Thursday, calling for expansion of all-round cooperation between the two countries.

The statement was issued here at the end of Chinese President Hu Jintao's two-day state visit to Brunei.

It said that during his state visit, the Chinese president heldtalks with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other leaders of Brunei and the two sides had an exchange of views and reached broad common understanding on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest.

According to the statement, both sides expressed satisfaction with the excellent progress of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991, and recognized the friendly and effective cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, cultural, educational, health, legal, defense and other fields.

Both sides reiterated their adherence to the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other's internal affairs and their desire to push forward the development of China-Brunei good-neighborly relations and friendly cooperation.

The two leaders welcomed the establishment of the Brunei-China Friendship Association as another channel for deepening understanding and expanding linkages.

Both sides agreed to enhance economic cooperation and further expand trade and two-way investment, and recalled a commitment to reach a bilateral trade target of 1 billion US dollars by 2010.

Both sides expressed their willingness to maintain long-term cooperation in the energy sector and further strengthen cooperation in transportation, telecommunications and infrastructure.

Both sides recognized the significance of the tourism sector ingenerating economic and employment opportunities.

The two leaders welcomed the Exchange of Notes on Mutual Visa Exemption for Diplomatic, Official and Service Passport Holders and agreed that this will facilitate the work of officials from both sides and enable them to work more closely together.

Both sides agreed to intensify bilateral cooperation in the field of health, and welcomed the Plan of Action on Health Cooperation signed by the health departments of the two countries for the period from 2005 to 2007.

The Brunei side reiterated its adherence to the One China policy, and expressed its appreciation of and support to China's effort for peaceful national reunification, peace and stability inthe Taiwan Straits and in Asia-Pacific.

Both sides highly valued the positive development of friendly relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in recent years, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation and to work closer to promote China-ASEAN Free Trade Area within the framework of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

The Chinese side also reiterated its view that ASEAN should continue to play the primary role in conducting East Asian cooperation.

The Brunei side welcomed this view and expressed appreciation for China's continued support in the development of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and actively explore ways of cooperation in this region.

They agreed to carry out the follow-up activities of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea together with other ASEAN countries and expressed willingness to participate in confidence-building measures in the region.

Both sides recognized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific to prosperity and development of theregion.

The Brunei side expressed its appreciation of the constructive role that China is playing in maintaining peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

Both sides agreed to further enhance their coordination and cooperation at regional and international organizations. Enditem